Cycle commute

[newCyclist]

I'm going to have to change my commute from driving to the office to cycling about 1.5 miles to the station then getting the train. I need to be quite smart for work (I.e. never jeans, sometimes a suit)

Does anyone have any tips? I can get changed, do makeup etc at the office, but there isn't a shower

1.5 isn’t far, you won’t need a shower afterwards. I’d take work shoes and a skirt carefully rolled not folded to avoid creases in a backpack and then wear comfy bottoms and footwear to cycle.

An iron/travel iron kept at wirk might be handy.

I read to work sometimes and I also have shower. Top tip I have is, do your make up at work and invest in some Muc off dry shower. It's fantastic. Like it says, you can wash with it without getting wet! I ride further than you so take a complete change of clothes.

I do similar (no hills) and i find it fine to cycle in my work clothes. But then I tend to wear brogues etc rather than heels. And I find skirts better than trousers in rain - legs/tights dry quicker!

Thank you - that's really useful.

If not thought of having an iron at work, but it's a good idea. I have one of the mini ironing boards from IKEA, so having similar in the office would work.

I'd seen the muc off and wondered how well it would work. I'll definitely get some.

Cycling 1.5 miles isn’t very far and unless it’s very hilly or there is a heat wave you won’t sweat - or not more than if you were walking in any case. So I wouldn’t worry too much, you should just be able to wear your normal clothes. This is what most people do in continental Europe. Some examples here:
m.facebook.com/cyclechicrepublic/

Even in a suit you would probably be ok on most normal days, you can always go a bit slower if you’re worried about breaking into a sweat.

On days where it is very hot you could take a flannel for a quick wash at the office and a change of underwear/top. Get a pannier rather than a rucksack to carry this in as you won’t get a sweaty back this way. If you have any opportunity to store a few clothes at work it’s always good to have some fresh clothes there just in case as a backup.

Could you keep a smart pair of shoes at work to change into upon arrival? I have 2 pairs (one for hot, one for cold weather).

Basket or Panniers (waterproof) rather than a backpack!